Italy Giro Cycling Contador Scarponi
FILE - In this May 28, 2011 file photo winner Alberto Contador of Spain, right, and third placed Michele Scarponi of Italy hold their trophies on the...
FILE - In this May 28, 2011 file photo winner Alberto Contador of Spain, right, and third placed Michele Scarponi of Italy hold their trophies on the podium of the 94th edition of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy. Giro d'Italia organizers are planning to present Michele Scarponi with the pink jersey as last year's champion after Alberto Contador was stripped of the honor for doping. Giro general director Michele Acquarone tells The Associated Press that the presention will be held next Thursday in Denmark, two days before the race kicks off with three stages in the Scandinavian country. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati, Files)
Italy Giro Cycling Contador Scarponi
FILE - In this May 2011 file photo Spain's Alberto Contador puts on the pink jersey of the overall leader after completing the 15th stage of the Giro...
FILE - In this May 2011 file photo Spain's Alberto Contador puts on the pink jersey of the overall leader after completing the 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race from Conegliano to Gardeccia Val di Fassa. Giro d'Italia organizers are planning to present Michele Scarponi with the pink jersey as last year's champion after Alberto Contador was stripped of the honor for doping. Giro general director Michele Acquarone tells The Associated Press that the presention will be held next Thursday in Denmark, two days before the race kicks off with three stages in the Scandinavian country. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta, File)
Switzerland Cycling Tour De Romandie
The pack rides near Siviriez in front of the Swiss Alps during the third stage, a 157,6 km race from La Neuveville to Charmey, at the 66th Tour de Ro...
The pack rides near Siviriez in front of the Swiss Alps during the third stage, a 157,6 km race from La Neuveville to Charmey, at the 66th Tour de Romandie UCI ProTour cycling, Switzerland, Friday, April 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott)
When the Giro d'Italia starts Saturday with three stages in Denmark, it will also mark the start of a new era for the 103-year-old race.
After last year's edition was marred by the death of Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt and the last-minute elimination of the harrowing Crostis descent, Angelo Zomegnan stepped aside as race director and was replaced by Michele Acquarone _ a business manager whose personality is a contrast to Zomegnan's iron-fist approach.
Acquarone has quickly identified four key areas to improve a race characterized in recent years by extreme difficulties: make it more comfortable and attractive for riders _ especially those who also want to win the Tour de France _ put more attention on safety, make it more fan friendly, and aim for an international audience.
